Background: Enhanced angiogenesis following myocardial infarction (MI) is beneficial to preserve cardiac function. The present study aimed to investigate whether acetylated derivatives of cordycepin altered its original antitumor properties and exerted cardioprotective effects by promoting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
Methods: Cordycepin and its derivatives with single (DA), double (DAA), and triple acetyl groups (DAAA) were assessed. The cell viability of leukemia U937 cells, malignant hepatoma Huh-7 cells, and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with cordycepin, DA, DAA, and DAAA were determined. The expression of β-catenin in U937 cells, as well as the expression of p65, p38 and other related signal regulators in HUVECs elicited by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were also observed. Angiogenesis was determined by tube formation in HUVECs and Matrigel plug assay in mice. Cardiac function following administration of DAAA was evaluated in mice MI model simulated by coronary artery ligation.
Results: The inhibitory effects of cordycepin and its acetylated derivatives on U937 cells, Huh-7 cells, HUVECs, and the expression of β-catenin in U937 cells were mitigated with increasing acetylation. Intriguingly, DAAA preserved the cell viability of HUVECs compared to other acetylated derivatives. Although DAAA had a significantly diminished antitumor effect compared to cordycepin, it promoted angiogenesis in mice and tube formation in HUVECs and attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 and p38. Additionally, administration of DAAA improved cardiac function following coronary artery ligation in mice.
Conclusion: DAAA could be considered a promising adjunctive therapy to prevent post-MI heart failure through promoting angiogenesis.
{"title":"The effects of acetylated cordycepin derivatives on promoting vascular angiogenesis and attenuating myocardial ischemic injury.","authors":"Tzu-Ching Chang, Chao-Feng Lin, Yi-Jhu Lu, Shu-Man Liang, Jia-Yi Wei, Chih-Hui Chin, Song-Kun Shyue, Cheng-Chin Kuo, Jun-Yang Liou","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Enhanced angiogenesis following myocardial infarction (MI) is beneficial to preserve cardiac function. The present study aimed to investigate whether acetylated derivatives of cordycepin altered its original antitumor properties and exerted cardioprotective effects by promoting angiogenesis <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cordycepin and its derivatives with single (DA), double (DAA), and triple acetyl groups (DAAA) were assessed. The cell viability of leukemia U937 cells, malignant hepatoma Huh-7 cells, and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with cordycepin, DA, DAA, and DAAA were determined. The expression of β-catenin in U937 cells, as well as the expression of p65, p38 and other related signal regulators in HUVECs elicited by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were also observed. Angiogenesis was determined by tube formation in HUVECs and Matrigel plug assay in mice. Cardiac function following administration of DAAA was evaluated in mice MI model simulated by coronary artery ligation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The inhibitory effects of cordycepin and its acetylated derivatives on U937 cells, Huh-7 cells, HUVECs, and the expression of β-catenin in U937 cells were mitigated with increasing acetylation. Intriguingly, DAAA preserved the cell viability of HUVECs compared to other acetylated derivatives. Although DAAA had a significantly diminished antitumor effect compared to cordycepin, it promoted angiogenesis in mice and tube formation in HUVECs and attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 and p38. Additionally, administration of DAAA improved cardiac function following coronary artery ligation in mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>DAAA could be considered a promising adjunctive therapy to prevent post-MI heart failure through promoting angiogenesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40026"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11567033/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142647733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40005
Hrithik Nath, Sajal Kumar Adhikary, Saleh Alsulamy, Abdulla Al Kafy, Zullyadini A Rahaman, Srabanti Roy, Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, Abdulla Al Mamun
Urban noise pollution poses significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability, particularly in rapidly developing tourist destinations. Noise pollution and associated annoyance level in five major intersections of Cox's Bazar City, Bangladesh, was assessed in this study during the peak tourist season. Noise measurements were conducted using various indices (L10, Leq, and TNI) across morning, midday, and afternoon time slots. TNI scores were compared with Mean Dissatisfaction Score (MDS) standards to assess traffic-induced noise annoyance levels. Additionally, a survey of 675 respondents was conducted to assess their perceptions of noise pollution. Statistical analyses included linear regression for noise indices, multinomial logistic regression for TNI-related dissatisfaction, and ordinal logistic regression for respondents' perceived annoyances. Results revealed significant noise pollution issues, with Leq scores consistently exceeding national guidelines across all intersections and time periods, particularly on weekends during afternoon timeslots. TNI values frequently surpassed standard dissatisfaction regulations, with 19 out of 105 time slots exhibiting extreme dissatisfaction levels. Link Road and Kolatoli Circle intersections consistently showed higher noise levels and dissatisfaction. Over 95% of survey respondents perceived increased noise pollution during peak tourist seasons, with 87.11% describing it as "extremely" or "very" noisy. Longer exposure duration and awareness of health risks were significantly associated with reported perceived annoyance levels. Respondents reported various health impacts, including annoyance (84.44%), headaches (62.37%), and cognitive impairment (44.44%). This comprehensive study provides valuable insights for policymakers, city planners, and environmentalists to develop sustainable urban strategies that balance the acoustic environment with the well-being of residents and tourists alike.
{"title":"Assessment of index-based traffic noise annoyance level at major road intersections in a tourist city: A case study towards environmental sustainability.","authors":"Hrithik Nath, Sajal Kumar Adhikary, Saleh Alsulamy, Abdulla Al Kafy, Zullyadini A Rahaman, Srabanti Roy, Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, Abdulla Al Mamun","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urban noise pollution poses significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability, particularly in rapidly developing tourist destinations. Noise pollution and associated annoyance level in five major intersections of Cox's Bazar City, Bangladesh, was assessed in this study during the peak tourist season. Noise measurements were conducted using various indices (L<sub>10</sub>, L<sub>eq</sub>, and TNI) across morning, midday, and afternoon time slots. TNI scores were compared with Mean Dissatisfaction Score (MDS) standards to assess traffic-induced noise annoyance levels. Additionally, a survey of 675 respondents was conducted to assess their perceptions of noise pollution. Statistical analyses included linear regression for noise indices, multinomial logistic regression for TNI-related dissatisfaction, and ordinal logistic regression for respondents' perceived annoyances. Results revealed significant noise pollution issues, with L<sub>eq</sub> scores consistently exceeding national guidelines across all intersections and time periods, particularly on weekends during afternoon timeslots. TNI values frequently surpassed standard dissatisfaction regulations, with 19 out of 105 time slots exhibiting extreme dissatisfaction levels. Link Road and Kolatoli Circle intersections consistently showed higher noise levels and dissatisfaction. Over 95% of survey respondents perceived increased noise pollution during peak tourist seasons, with 87.11% describing it as \"extremely\" or \"very\" noisy. Longer exposure duration and awareness of health risks were significantly associated with reported perceived annoyance levels. Respondents reported various health impacts, including annoyance (84.44%), headaches (62.37%), and cognitive impairment (44.44%). This comprehensive study provides valuable insights for policymakers, city planners, and environmentalists to develop sustainable urban strategies that balance the acoustic environment with the well-being of residents and tourists alike.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40005"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11570300/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142667734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40075
Mariya A Yukhymenko-Lescroart
College athletes balance academic and athletic roles and, as a result, can hold different combinations of academic and athletic identities. The purpose of this study was to identify common identity profiles in a large sample of Division I (elite) college athletes in the U.S. and to examine these profiles on a number of measures in academics and athletics: performance, motivation (e.g., achievement goals, autonomous motivation, competence, interest, effort, value, persistence, passion), satisfaction, and ethical conduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, sportspersonship, gamesmanship, aggression). Profiles were derived in Study 1 (N = 1124) and cross-validated with an independent sample in Study 2 (N = 184). Results showed four common identity profiles: (1) fully engaged college athletes with the highest academic and athletic identities, (2) committed athletes with a low academic identity and a high athletic identity, (3) academics-focused college athletes with an average academic identity and a low athletic identity, and (4) academically unengaged athletes with an extremely low academic identity and a low athletic identity. The identity profiles differed significantly across the measures of academic and athletic performance, achievement motivation (mastery, performance, task, and ego goals), satisfaction, and ethical conduct (academic misconduct, homework cheating, plagiarism, test cheating, sportspersonship, gamesmanship, instrumental aggression) in Study 1, as well as autonomous motivation (competence, relatedness, value/usefulness, effort/importance), academic persistence, and athletic passion (harmonious, obsessive) in Study 2. Taken together, findings provided evidence of both the multidimensional nature of college athletes' identities and the heterogeneity of the college athlete population. Overall, these findings point to the importance of concurrent examination of academic and athletic identities as separate yet interrelated dimensions in research studies. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of college athletes' experiences and provides a more nuanced perspective on their identity development.
{"title":"Balancing academics and athletics: Examining academic and athletic identity profiles in a large sample of NCAA Division I college athletes.","authors":"Mariya A Yukhymenko-Lescroart","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>College athletes balance academic and athletic roles and, as a result, can hold different combinations of academic and athletic identities. The purpose of this study was to identify common identity profiles in a large sample of Division I (elite) college athletes in the U.S. and to examine these profiles on a number of measures in academics and athletics: performance, motivation (e.g., achievement goals, autonomous motivation, competence, interest, effort, value, persistence, passion), satisfaction, and ethical conduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, sportspersonship, gamesmanship, aggression). Profiles were derived in Study 1 (<i>N</i> = 1124) and cross-validated with an independent sample in Study 2 (<i>N</i> = 184). Results showed four common identity profiles: (1) <i>fully engaged college athletes</i> with the highest academic and athletic identities, (2) <i>committed athletes</i> with a low academic identity and a high athletic identity, (3) <i>academics-focused college athletes</i> with an average academic identity and a low athletic identity, and (4) <i>academically unengaged athletes</i> with an extremely low academic identity and a low athletic identity. The identity profiles differed significantly across the measures of academic and athletic performance, achievement motivation (mastery, performance, task, and ego goals), satisfaction, and ethical conduct (academic misconduct, homework cheating, plagiarism, test cheating, sportspersonship, gamesmanship, instrumental aggression) in Study 1, as well as autonomous motivation (competence, relatedness, value/usefulness, effort/importance), academic persistence, and athletic passion (harmonious, obsessive) in Study 2. Taken together, findings provided evidence of both the multidimensional nature of college athletes' identities and the heterogeneity of the college athlete population. Overall, these findings point to the importance of concurrent examination of academic and athletic identities as separate yet interrelated dimensions in research studies. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of college athletes' experiences and provides a more nuanced perspective on their identity development.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40075"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11570289/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142667740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40047
Nam Ngo, Huyen Nguyen, Yen Nguyen, Son Le
This study analyzes the impact of US's UMP announcements on the Vietnamese stock market during the 2008 GFC and COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing an event study methodology, it examines both market-wide and sectors-specific stock reactions. The findings reveal overall positive market responses to UMP news in both periods, but with notable differences across industries and crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate, industrials, materials, and finance sectors exhibited significantly stronger positive reactions compared to the GFC. These sectors maintained positive AARs and CAARs with high statistical significance, suggesting heightened sensitivity to UMP during the pandemic-induced economic downturn. Furthermore, the financial and real estate sectors significantly outperformed their GFC responses during COVID-19, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment and risk appetite towards these sectors amidst the pandemic's unique economic landscape. This research provides valuable insights into the diverse impacts of UMP across different sectors and crisis contexts.
{"title":"How does the Vietnamese stock market react when the Fed gives an announcement in time at the zero lower bound?","authors":"Nam Ngo, Huyen Nguyen, Yen Nguyen, Son Le","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40047","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study analyzes the impact of US's UMP announcements on the Vietnamese stock market during the 2008 GFC and COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing an event study methodology, it examines both market-wide and sectors-specific stock reactions. The findings reveal overall positive market responses to UMP news in both periods, but with notable differences across industries and crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate, industrials, materials, and finance sectors exhibited significantly stronger positive reactions compared to the GFC. These sectors maintained positive AARs and CAARs with high statistical significance, suggesting heightened sensitivity to UMP during the pandemic-induced economic downturn. Furthermore, the financial and real estate sectors significantly outperformed their GFC responses during COVID-19, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment and risk appetite towards these sectors amidst the pandemic's unique economic landscape. This research provides valuable insights into the diverse impacts of UMP across different sectors and crisis contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40047"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11566862/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142647894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to assess the variations in biomarkers associated with CHD in T2DM patients across different age groups in the Han Chinese population.
Methods: A strict selection process was employed, involving three groups: a control group (n = 300) with no medical history, a new-onset T2DM group (n = 300), and a new-onset T2DM + CHD group (n = 300). Participants in each group were further categorized based on age: Group 1 (<60 years), Group 2 (60-75 years), and Group 3 (>75 years). Fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and homocysteine (HCY) levels were analyzed in all groups.
Results: Both T2DM and T2DM + CHD groups exhibited elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ApoB, ApoB/ApoA1, Lp(a), hsCRP, and HCY, alongside decreased levels of HDL-C and ApoA1 in comparison to the control group. Notably, when comparing the T2DM to the T2DM + CHD groups, significant increases were noted in ApoB, Lp(a), and hsCRP levels in the T2DM + CHD group, whereas other biomarkers did not show significant differences. Across all age groups, the patterns remained consistent, with the T2DM and T2DM + CHD groups showing elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ApoB, ApoB/ApoA1, Lp(a), hsCRP, and HCY, and decreased levels of HDL-C and ApoA1 compared to their respective age-matched control groups. Furthermore, within each age category, significant increases in ApoB, Lp(a), and hsCRP were specifically observed with advancing age in the T2DM + CHD group, with Lp(a) and hsCRP levels showing particularly notable elevations, underscoring their potential as significant indicators of CHD risk in the T2DM population.
Conclusion: Lp(a) and hsCRP may serve as valuable risk biomarkers for the development of CHD in T2DM patients. Understanding the variations in these biomarkers across different age groups can assist in risk assessment and the development of personalized management strategies for CHD in T2DM patients.
{"title":"Lp(a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are predictive biomarkers for coronary heart disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.","authors":"Qinghan Meng, Haina Ma, Nannan Tian, Zheng Wang, Liwen Cai, Yuqi Zhang, Qian Wang, Ruiwang Zhen, Jinwen Zhao, Menghan Wang, Xinqi Wang, Haifei Liu, Yuan Liu, Xinyu Wang, Li Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40074","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to assess the variations in biomarkers associated with CHD in T2DM patients across different age groups in the Han Chinese population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A strict selection process was employed, involving three groups: a control group (n = 300) with no medical history, a new-onset T2DM group (n = 300), and a new-onset T2DM + CHD group (n = 300). Participants in each group were further categorized based on age: Group 1 (<60 years), Group 2 (60-75 years), and Group 3 (>75 years). Fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and homocysteine (HCY) levels were analyzed in all groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both T2DM and T2DM + CHD groups exhibited elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ApoB, ApoB/ApoA1, Lp(a), hsCRP, and HCY, alongside decreased levels of HDL-C and ApoA1 in comparison to the control group. Notably, when comparing the T2DM to the T2DM + CHD groups, significant increases were noted in ApoB, Lp(a), and hsCRP levels in the T2DM + CHD group, whereas other biomarkers did not show significant differences. Across all age groups, the patterns remained consistent, with the T2DM and T2DM + CHD groups showing elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ApoB, ApoB/ApoA1, Lp(a), hsCRP, and HCY, and decreased levels of HDL-C and ApoA1 compared to their respective age-matched control groups. Furthermore, within each age category, significant increases in ApoB, Lp(a), and hsCRP were specifically observed with advancing age in the T2DM + CHD group, with Lp(a) and hsCRP levels showing particularly notable elevations, underscoring their potential as significant indicators of CHD risk in the T2DM population.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lp(a) and hsCRP may serve as valuable risk biomarkers for the development of CHD in T2DM patients. Understanding the variations in these biomarkers across different age groups can assist in risk assessment and the development of personalized management strategies for CHD in T2DM patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40074"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11565462/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142647254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40063
Emma Etim
This article takes us into the world of municipal solid waste entrepreneurs, revealing how public awareness campaigns and behavioural change efforts intertwine with entrepreneurial endeavours. Through conversations with 11 key participants-entrepreneurs from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria and a senior management figure from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority-I hear firsthand accounts of the challenges they face and their strategies to transform waste into opportunity. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour, this study sheds light on how these entrepreneurs perceive the role of public awareness in shaping waste management behaviour and driving business innovation. From their stories, a common theme emerges: the need to educate the public about responsible waste practices while developing creative business models that engage communities. Concepts like "freemium-to-premium" offerings are explored as ways to break through psychological barriers and inspire wider participation in waste management initiatives. These voices illustrate how awareness campaigns are not only about fostering environmental responsibility, but also about creating pathways for entrepreneurial growth, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. This study contends that public awareness extends beyond mere knowledge; it acts as a form of infrastructure in its own right. Rather than being just an end goal, awareness becomes a vital foundation in the pursuit of improved waste management practices, serving as a key driver for meaningful environmental action.
{"title":"Leveraging public awareness and behavioural change for entrepreneurial waste management.","authors":"Emma Etim","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40063","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article takes us into the world of municipal solid waste entrepreneurs, revealing how public awareness campaigns and behavioural change efforts intertwine with entrepreneurial endeavours. Through conversations with 11 key participants-entrepreneurs from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria and a senior management figure from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority-I hear firsthand accounts of the challenges they face and their strategies to transform waste into opportunity. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour, this study sheds light on how these entrepreneurs perceive the role of public awareness in shaping waste management behaviour and driving business innovation. From their stories, a common theme emerges: the need to educate the public about responsible waste practices while developing creative business models that engage communities. Concepts like \"freemium-to-premium\" offerings are explored as ways to break through psychological barriers and inspire wider participation in waste management initiatives. These voices illustrate how awareness campaigns are not only about fostering environmental responsibility, but also about creating pathways for entrepreneurial growth, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. This study contends that public awareness extends beyond mere knowledge; it acts as a form of infrastructure in its own right. Rather than being just an end goal, awareness becomes a vital foundation in the pursuit of improved waste management practices, serving as a key driver for meaningful environmental action.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40063"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11566867/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142647155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40034
Eileen Naughton, Rachel Moran, Manjeet Kharub, Jose Carlos Sa, Olivia McDermott
This research focuses on designing a clear methodology for problem-solving. It investigates the application of a defined 'Lean' methodology for the proactive application of process improvement activities using a phased digitized measurement and monitoring system. This case study in a Medtech organisation utilized the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model to develop a Lean system and structure to support managing the process improvement or project management element of a Continuous Improvement (CI) framework. The results from the pilot of this study delivered financial gains and demonstrated how a robust structure and methodology to measure improvement activity and success provided a strong, sustainable foundation for customer satisfaction, efficiency, cost reduction and employee engagement improvement. It also highlighted the importance of focusing on proactive process improvement as part of a CI framework. The study provides valuable insights into the effective implementation of Lean principles and process improvement via a sustainable model, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge in this field. This study demonstrated how the developed model supported process improvement activity underpinning the development of a wider continuous improvement culture to support Lean deployment and sustainment and that systems can drive behaviour. Additionally, this application in the healthcare manufacturing sector adds to the sparse application in the literature from this sector.
{"title":"A structured model for continuous improvement methodology deployment and sustainment: A case study.","authors":"Eileen Naughton, Rachel Moran, Manjeet Kharub, Jose Carlos Sa, Olivia McDermott","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research focuses on designing a clear methodology for problem-solving. It investigates the application of a defined 'Lean' methodology for the proactive application of process improvement activities using a phased digitized measurement and monitoring system. This case study in a Medtech organisation utilized the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model to develop a Lean system and structure to support managing the process improvement or project management element of a Continuous Improvement (CI) framework. The results from the pilot of this study delivered financial gains and demonstrated how a robust structure and methodology to measure improvement activity and success provided a strong, sustainable foundation for customer satisfaction, efficiency, cost reduction and employee engagement improvement. It also highlighted the importance of focusing on proactive process improvement as part of a CI framework. The study provides valuable insights into the effective implementation of Lean principles and process improvement via a sustainable model, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge in this field. This study demonstrated how the developed model supported process improvement activity underpinning the development of a wider continuous improvement culture to support Lean deployment and sustainment and that systems can drive behaviour. Additionally, this application in the healthcare manufacturing sector adds to the sparse application in the literature from this sector.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40034"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11566847/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142647698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40023
Myung-Hee Kim, Won Choi, Woo-Je Lee, Jin-Woo Jung
Background: Job stress was found to directly increase the likelihood of accidents and indirectly increase the likelihood of accidents by lowering the safety atmosphere. Job stress has a significant impact on the safety environment, and job satisfaction is effective in reducing accident rates. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the correlation between safety level, job stress, and job satisfaction in small businesses with a high risk of industrial accidents. Additionally, we aim to investigate factors that may affect job stress, job satisfaction, and safety levels.
Methods: This study was conducted on 230 workers in small businesses in Korea. First, hierarchical regression analysis was conducted using SPSS software, and anova analysis was used to investigate significant variables. Finally, the relationships between variables were investigated using structural equation modeling (SEM).
Results: The analysis results showed that safety level and job stress had a negative correlation with a coefficient of -0.8. Safety level and job satisfaction had a correlation with a coefficient of 0.2. Job satisfaction and job stress had a negative correlation with a coefficient of -0.7. This shows that when job stress is high, there is a negative correlation between job satisfaction and safety level. In addition, 4 general characteristics items and 3 job characteristics items showed a correlation with job stress. 2 general characteristics items and 8 job characteristics items showed a correlation with job satisfaction. 4 general characteristics items and 11 job characteristics items showed a correlation with safety level.
Conclusion: Small businesses' job stress, safety level, and job satisfaction showed a significant correlation. In addition, the relationship between the variables affecting them was significant. In order to reduce the occurrence of accidents among workers in small businesses, control of factors and efforts to reduce job stress are necessary.
{"title":"A study of the factors and correlations influencing the safety level, job stress and job satisfaction of workers in small business in Korea.","authors":"Myung-Hee Kim, Won Choi, Woo-Je Lee, Jin-Woo Jung","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Job stress was found to directly increase the likelihood of accidents and indirectly increase the likelihood of accidents by lowering the safety atmosphere. Job stress has a significant impact on the safety environment, and job satisfaction is effective in reducing accident rates. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the correlation between safety level, job stress, and job satisfaction in small businesses with a high risk of industrial accidents. Additionally, we aim to investigate factors that may affect job stress, job satisfaction, and safety levels.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted on 230 workers in small businesses in Korea. First, hierarchical regression analysis was conducted using SPSS software, and anova analysis was used to investigate significant variables. Finally, the relationships between variables were investigated using structural equation modeling (SEM).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis results showed that safety level and job stress had a negative correlation with a coefficient of -0.8. Safety level and job satisfaction had a correlation with a coefficient of 0.2. Job satisfaction and job stress had a negative correlation with a coefficient of -0.7. This shows that when job stress is high, there is a negative correlation between job satisfaction and safety level. In addition, 4 general characteristics items and 3 job characteristics items showed a correlation with job stress. 2 general characteristics items and 8 job characteristics items showed a correlation with job satisfaction. 4 general characteristics items and 11 job characteristics items showed a correlation with safety level.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Small businesses' job stress, safety level, and job satisfaction showed a significant correlation. In addition, the relationship between the variables affecting them was significant. In order to reduce the occurrence of accidents among workers in small businesses, control of factors and efforts to reduce job stress are necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40023"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11570491/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142667645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40039
Seth Yeboah Ntim, Collins Opoku Antwi, Michael Osei Aboagye, Elijah Takyi Mensah, Emmanuel Tetteh Teye, Xinyu Li
Teacher absenteeism is one of the key factors that has been fingered as the bane of quality early childhood education in low- and middle-income countries. Failing to report to school as scheduled is considered symptomatic of emotional dysregulation. However, limited research has explored emotional labor as a possible predictor of teacher absenteeism. Therefore, this study, using the conservation of resources theory, examines the influence of emotional labor (i.e., surface and deep acting) on absenteeism, and the mediating roles of negative affect and psychological meaningfulness. Our study used cross-sectional data from 574 preschool teachers in Ghana and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses. The results reveal that surface acting increases absenteeism. Further, negative affect and psychological meaningfulness partially mediated surface acting and absenteeism relationship, but psychological meaningfulness fully mediated deep acting and absenteeism relationship. This study supports the theoretical assumption that teacher absence from school is a resource-based process that is associated with surface acting directly and indirectly via negative affect and psychological meaningfulness. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
{"title":"Emotional labor and absenteeism among early childhood educators: The mediating roles of negative affect and psychological meaningfulness.","authors":"Seth Yeboah Ntim, Collins Opoku Antwi, Michael Osei Aboagye, Elijah Takyi Mensah, Emmanuel Tetteh Teye, Xinyu Li","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Teacher absenteeism is one of the key factors that has been fingered as the bane of quality early childhood education in low- and middle-income countries. Failing to report to school as scheduled is considered symptomatic of emotional dysregulation. However, limited research has explored emotional labor as a possible predictor of teacher absenteeism. Therefore, this study, using the conservation of resources theory, examines the influence of emotional labor (i.e., surface and deep acting) on absenteeism, and the mediating roles of negative affect and psychological meaningfulness. Our study used cross-sectional data from 574 preschool teachers in Ghana and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses. The results reveal that surface acting increases absenteeism. Further, negative affect and psychological meaningfulness partially mediated surface acting and absenteeism relationship, but psychological meaningfulness fully mediated deep acting and absenteeism relationship. This study supports the theoretical assumption that teacher absence from school is a resource-based process that is associated with surface acting directly and indirectly via negative affect and psychological meaningfulness. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e40039"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11570294/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142667762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-01eCollection Date: 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39937
Sean Conner
Recent pedagogical trends in post-secondary education focus on how providing students with greater autonomy through assignment submission flexibility offers benefits ranging from increased learning to stress reduction. Unfortunately, the relationship between submission flexibility and any specific benefit is not firmly established. One explanation for this is a potential misalignment between anticipated benefits and an understanding of how most students leverage extended opportunities for assignment completion. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between assignment submission flexibility and how students used the opportunity. Quantitative evidence reveals that most students routinely maximized the time taken before submitting assignments. This occurred independent of assignment type, teaching modality, or the duration of assignment availability. The results support a conclusion that most students do not capitalize on increased flexibility to meet the demands of their unique schedules. Instead, they appear to adapt their schedules to submit assignments shortly before a perceived deadline.
{"title":"How students leverage assignment submission flexibility - A case study.","authors":"Sean Conner","doi":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39937","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent pedagogical trends in post-secondary education focus on how providing students with greater autonomy through assignment submission flexibility offers benefits ranging from increased learning to stress reduction. Unfortunately, the relationship between submission flexibility and any specific benefit is not firmly established. One explanation for this is a potential misalignment between anticipated benefits and an understanding of how most students leverage extended opportunities for assignment completion. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between assignment submission flexibility and how students used the opportunity. Quantitative evidence reveals that most students routinely maximized the time taken before submitting assignments. This occurred independent of assignment type, teaching modality, or the duration of assignment availability. The results support a conclusion that most students do not capitalize on increased flexibility to meet the demands of their unique schedules. Instead, they appear to adapt their schedules to submit assignments shortly before a perceived deadline.</p>","PeriodicalId":12894,"journal":{"name":"Heliyon","volume":"10 21","pages":"e39937"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11570477/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142670242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}